AFL Snapshot Round 15

THEY SAID IT: “They probably could have thrown in the towel and said it’s too hard. But Phil wouldn’t have wanted that. He drives really hard standards and us as a group and as a leadership group drive really hard standards.” – Stand-in Adelaide coach Scott Camporeale assesses the Crows’ loss to West Coast in their first match since the death of coach Phil Walsh.

STATS THAT MATTER: A 145-point turnaround in just seven days for hot-and-cold St Kilda who backed up their record-breaking 110-point win over Essendon with a lame 35-point loss to GWS.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Having sprayed his set shots for goal all over the place in recent weeks, young Essendon key forward Joe Daniher managed to get the radar working with five straight goals. The comparison with Melbourne’s wasteful tally of 7.18 (60) could hardly have been more stark as the Bombers won by nine points.

TALKING POINT: Playing for the first time since Phil Walsh’s death, the Crows showed plenty of spirit but still came up 56 points short against rampaging West Coast. Next weekend’s Showdown against Port Adelaide will be another emotion-charged affair as Walsh had close links to both SA clubs.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: Geelong captain Joel Selwood’s chicken-wing tackle on Kangaroo Sam Wright will be closely scrutinised by the MRP, as will big Tiger Ty Vickery’s high knock which concussed Carlton fullback Michael Jamison. Collingwood’s Taylor Adams is certain to be in trouble for kneeing Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff in the head. St Kilda ruckman Billy Longer was reported for a late hit on GWS’s Lachie Whitfield. Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe is likely to receive a fine – at worst – after his forearm made contact with Hawk Taylor Duryea’s face in a spoiling attempt.